Philippines gets first semiconductor lab

In an effort to cut costs for the Philippines’ emerging semiconductor and electronics industries, the government has launched the country’s first laboratory to conduct fail testing for high-tech products.

Previously, those in the industry spent an estimated annual $10 million to $20 million on failure analysis in other countries such as the US, South Korea and Malaysia. With the new laboratory breaking ground in Quezon City, Manila, on May 31, the Aquino administration plans establish an open-door policy, allowing industries to collectively benefit from its services, which will cost between $42 and $756 per test run.

“Without doubt, this facility will pull our semiconductors industry up the value chain and move them closer to their target of becoming a $50-billion industry by 2016,” President Benigno Aquino III said during the inauguration ceremony.

The testing laboratory, named Admatel, will be equipped with highly specialised equipment and was bought by the government for $6.6 million.

At the ceremony, President Aquino III said that “one of the key factors in maintaining the momentum we have gained is expanding the tool kits of our people and our industries to better utilise their strengths.”

The new facility, President Aquino continued, will provide the “technology wherewithal” for local industries “to compete in a quickly globalising world.”

Admatel will operate 24 hours and the government will provide various amenities for clients, including dormitories, lecture halls and conference rooms.

In an effort to cut costs for the Philippines’ emerging semiconductor and electronics industries, the government has launched the country’s first laboratory to conduct fail testing for high-tech products.

Previously, those in the industry spent an estimated annual $10 million to $20 million on failure analysis in other countries such as the US, South Korea and Malaysia. With the new laboratory breaking ground in Quezon City, Manila, on May 31, the Aquino administration plans establish an open-door policy, allowing industries to collectively benefit from its services, which will cost between $42 and $756 per test run.

“Without doubt, this facility will pull our semiconductors industry up the value chain and move them closer to their target of becoming a $50-billion industry by 2016,” President Benigno Aquino III said during the inauguration ceremony.

The testing laboratory, named Admatel, will be equipped with highly specialised equipment and was bought by the government for $6.6 million.

At the ceremony, President Aquino III said that “one of the key factors in maintaining the momentum we have gained is expanding the tool kits of our people and our industries to better utilise their strengths.”

The new facility, President Aquino continued, will provide the “technology wherewithal” for local industries “to compete in a quickly globalising world.”

Admatel will operate 24 hours and the government will provide various amenities for clients, including dormitories, lecture halls and conference rooms.